01. Army Veterans’ Benefits & Compensation
Benefits for Army Veterans With Mesothelioma
Army veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease due to military service may be entitled to benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers compensation, healthcare options and other benefits to veterans of all military branches.
The United States Army used asbestos until the 1980s. However, asbestos can still be found on Army bases and in equipment today.
Due to the wide use of the carcinogen, the VA has benefits to help veterans who develop diseases from military asbestos exposure.
Compensation for Army Veterans Affected by Asbestos Exposure
One of the most well-known VA benefits offered to Army veterans is compensation. Army veterans diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease may receive compensation by filing a VA claim.
Once a claim is filed, the VA will review the case and offer compensation based on set disability standards. Army veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer due to service-related exposure are considered 100% disabled by the VA. This results in maximum disability compensation. Other asbestos-related illnesses, such as asbestosis, may result in less financial compensation.
In addition to filing a VA claim, Army veterans may get compensation by pursuing legal action. Other potential compensation options for Army veterans with asbestos-related illnesses include:
Experienced mesothelioma lawyers can help Army veterans determine the compensation options best for them. Some Army veterans may be eligible for multiple compensation options.
Compensation Options Available to Family Members of Army Veterans
Family members of Army veterans may also be eligible for certain benefits from the VA. Dependents of an Army veteran who passed away due to a military-related asbestos disease may receive dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC). This is monthly compensation paid to the surviving spouse, child or parent of the Army veteran.
Other Benefits for Army Veterans
In addition to the financial benefits offered to Army veterans, the VA also offers healthcare benefits.
Army veterans with an asbestos-related disease may receive treatment at VA medical centers. Because of the widespread use of asbestos across military branches in the 20th century, these facilities often have doctors specialized in treating mesothelioma.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Asbestos in the Army
Asbestos Exposure in the Army
The Army relied on asbestos for many reasons. Most commonly, the U.S. Army used asbestos in structures and equipment for its durability and fireproofing.
Asbestos-containing materials were also inexpensive and easily accessible. The perceived benefits led to asbestos use across all branches of the U.S. military through the 1970s.
Asbestos is technically safe when intact and left undisturbed. However, many of these asbestos products wear down easily from daily use and/or old age. This put soldiers and Army veterans at risk of exposure.
Asbestos can be found in many buildings constructed before 1980, including throughout military bases.
The mineral was used most often for insulation purposes, but can also be found in:
- Floor tiles
- Ceiling tiles
- Roofing materials
- Piping
- Siding
- Cement
These construction materials could be found in barracks, mess halls, weapon storage areas, plane construction and vehicle construction.
U.S. Army Reserve Centers (ARCs), off-site locations utilized to train part-time military personnel, also used asbestos materials in their construction.
Army veterans are also at risk of exposure from military equipment. For instance, Army vehicles used asbestos to prevent fires in high-heat areas.
Army soldiers and mechanics assigned to maintaining and repairing vehicles were at risk of asbestos exposure. When performing maintenance work on the vehicles, fibers could become airborne. This posed a risk for individuals on base and in combat.
Risk of Secondary Exposure Due to the Army’s Use of Asbestos
Active-duty soldiers, construction workers, maintenance staff and mechanics were frequently exposed to asbestos. Other civilian workers and families may have also been exposed to asbestos. If loved ones lived on base, or a soldier returned home with the clothing he or she wore on base, asbestos fibers may be transferred and inhaled. Family members exposed in this way experienced secondary asbestos exposure.
03. Army Veterans’ Mesothelioma Risk
Mesothelioma Risk Among Army Veterans
According to the EPA, no level of asbestos exposure is safe. However, asbestos is most hazardous when friable and airborne.
Malignant mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure and occurs when asbestos fibers are ingested or inhaled. Once in the body, the fibers may embed in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart.
Due to the military’s heavy use of asbestos throughout all branches in the 20th century, about one-third of mesothelioma diagnoses are veterans.
Mesothelioma has a latency period of 10 – 50 years. Meaning, Army veterans often are not diagnosed until years after their service-related asbestos exposure.
Although the military has made efforts to protect active-duty soldiers from asbestos exposure, thousands of Army veterans have already been exposed to the carcinogen.
04. Mesothelioma Treatment for Veterans
Mesothelioma Treatment for Army Veterans
Army veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease are eligible for treatment at a VA medical center. The VA has treatment centers across the United States, many of which are experienced in treating asbestos-related conditions.
In addition to treatment within the VA healthcare system, Army veterans may choose to receive care at specialized mesothelioma hospitals.
05. Protection From Exposure
Protecting Army Veterans From Asbestos Exposure
The Army Public Health Center has worked to develop regulations to protect soldiers and other workers from asbestos exposure.
The Army’s Installation Asbestos Management Program
The Army implemented the Installation Asbestos Management Program in the late 1990s. The program was an effort to protect soldiers from asbestos exposure.
The program requires Army facilities in the United States and overseas to:
- Abide by asbestos regulations implemented on state and federal levels.
- Implement asbestos management plans to deal with any identified asbestos quickly and safely.
As a result of this program, some bases were required to perform asbestos abatement. Safer alternatives to replace the hazardous mineral were also recommended as part of the program.
Department of Defense Reports Asbestos Health Risks Continue in the Army
The Army has programs in place to mitigate asbestos risk for personnel. However, a Department of Defense (DoD) report detailed environmental health risks at Army installations.
The April 2020 report noted mishandling of asbestos-containing materials at military installations. The DoD inspected asbestos handling at eight military installations, including two Army installations.
Specifically, the report noted:
- Five of the eight military installations did not have accurate records of the location and condition of asbestos-containing materials in the military family housing.
- Six of the eight military installations did not notify service members and their families living in the installation housing of the asbestos risk.
An Army spokesperson said all Army policies would be updated to align with the DoD health and safety hazard management policies within three months of DoD policy publication.
The issues found across military housing by the DoD highlight the asbestos hazards within the armed forces. There continues to be asbestos exposure risks among Army personnel.
Veterans exposed to asbestos through their service with the United States Army can hold the negligent parties responsible and receive compensation. Army veterans working with VA-accredited lawyers at experienced mesothelioma law firms can rest easy knowing their mesothelioma claim is being handled by professionals.
